Spending summer in Zanzibar is a great vacation idea due to its stunning beaches, marine life, and landscapes. To make the most of this island paradise, renting a car in Zanzibar is the perfect way to visit scenic coastal roads and remote beaches and embark on jungle adventures.
Read on to know the best Tanzanian summer adventures you can explore by car.
Nungwi Beach on Zanzibar’s northern tip boasts powdery white sand and clear turquoise waters. This stretch of coast is famed for its beautiful sunsets. It’s far from the bustle of town, but it’s easy to reach by car. Because of its remote location, Nungwi Beach is often less crowded than beaches closer to the city. You can park near the shore and step right onto the sand. This spot offers vibrant coral reefs offshore and fishing villages nearby.
Swim in warm, clear ocean water and snorkel around colorful coral reefs full of fish. You can also join a scuba diving trip or go on a sunset dhow cruise, with tours available right from the beach. Afterward, walk to Nungwi village and visit the Mnarani Turtle Conservation Pond to see and feed sea turtles.
Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park (Jozani Forest) is Zanzibar’s only national park, a lush expanse of tropical rainforest on the island. It’s home to unique wildlife, including the rare Zanzibar red colobus monkey found nowhere else in the world. A car trip allows you to combine a forest visit with nearby attractions like the Zanzibar Butterfly Centre or Paje Beach in one day.
Take a guided nature walk to see the endangered red colobus monkeys up close. These monkeys are used to people and can often be seen lounging in trees along the trail. With half of their population left here, spotting them in Jozani is a rare and special experience.
Afterward, hike through the mangrove boardwalk on the other side of the park. Here, you’ll walk above the mangrove swamps. Keep an eye out for other wildlife, as Jozani is also home to Syke’s monkeys, bushbabies, duikers, chameleons, and over 40 bird species. Don’t miss visiting the nearby Zanzibar Butterfly Centre, where you can see a live butterfly exhibit.
No trip to the “Spice Island” would be complete without a spice tour. Zanzibar earned its nickname from its long history as a leading producer of cloves and other spices. Driving to the spice plantations allows you to visit authentic farms in the countryside.
Many spice farms are located outside Stone Town in Kizimbani and Kidichi. They are about a 20 to 30-minute drive from the city. With a car, you can easily hop between farms or combine a spice tour with sightseeing.
Join a guided walking tour of a spice plantation. Here, you’ll explore lush gardens filled with vanilla, cardamom, turmeric, cinnamon, pepper, and lemongrass. Smell, taste, and learn about the spices grown here.
Discover the history of Zanzibar’s spice trade, including its role as a major clove producer in the 19th century and how spices shaped the island’s culture and economy. Enjoy interactive demonstrations, such as guessing spices by smell or watching a coconut climber collect fresh coconuts. Many tours end with tastings of exotic fruits and spiced teas.
Before you leave, shop for fresh spices, spice-infused soaps, or local perfumes—perfect souvenirs at great prices.
Stone Town is famous for its intricately carved wooden doors, with over 500 decorated doors in the old city. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its winding alleys and old Arabian townhouses. Due to its narrow streets, Stone Town is best explored on foot, but renting a car is still a big advantage.
You can easily take day trips into Stone Town, and then drive to your beach hotel or other sites afterward. If you're staying outside the city, you can sightsee in Stone Town and retreat to quieter areas like Mbweni, Bububu, or Mangapwani by evening.
Explore the Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe), a 17th-century structure next to Forodhani Gardens. Inside, you'll find a courtyard, now home to artisan shops and a small amphitheater. From there, take a short walk to the Sultan’s Palace Museum (Beit al-Sahel), a former royal residence holding exhibits on Zanzibari history and relics.
Next, head to Darajani Market to look for fresh fish, produce, and spices. You might even find spices at a lower price than the tourist shops. Afterward, take a quick detour to the Freddie Mercury House, the birthplace of the Queen frontman, for a quick photo stop.
As the evening approaches, head to Forodhani Night Market. The waterfront has a variety of food stalls selling Zanzibar pizza, grilled seafood, and sugarcane juice.
Prison Island is a small island off the coast of Stone Town, which is also known as Changuu Island. It was once used in the 19th century as a site for a prison. Today, it’s a popular day-trip destination known for its giant tortoises and historic ruins. While you can’t drive on the island, renting a car in Zanzibar helps you get to the boat docks in Stone Town that take you to Prison Island. Also, you can visit Prison Island at the best time of day and explore nearby sites on the same trip.
Start by visiting the Giant Tortoise Sanctuary. Here, you can meet the famous Aldabra giant tortoises, some over 100 years old. The oldest tortoise here is estimated to be around 193 years old. These gentle giants were originally a gift from the Seychelles in 1919 and have thrived on the island ever since.
After that, explore the Prison Ruins. For fun, bring or rent snorkel gear to explore the clear turquoise waters surrounding the island, full of colorful fish and coral. Relax on the small beach afterward or hike a short trail for stunning views of Stone Town and the mainland.
A boat tour to Prison Island usually costs around $40 to $55 per person. You’ll have a local guide who will explain the history of the island and its famous tortoises.
These five adventures showcase the best things to see and do across Zanzibar. By exploring Zanzibar by car, you can fully experience the island, from day watching red colobus monkeys in Jozani Forest to eating seafood by the Nungwi shore.
To ensure a smooth journey, choose a reliable local rental service. Consider renting a car with FinalRentals for your Zanzibar road trip. With competitive rates and a range of vehicles suitable for island roads, you can easily explore the best places to visit in Zanzibar.
